New role for Puig within HRC

Former Grand Prix winner Alberto Puig, who has been working with Honda Racing Corporation since 2006 as Dani Pedrosa's advisor, will face a new challenge starting from 2014.

Puig will undertake a new role as a supervisor for several of HRC's activities, including the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup and recruitment and management of young riders.

Due to his new role, Puig will not work as closely with Pedrosa during race weekends where he has been a regular figure alongside the Spanish rider, who he has tracked since the very beginning of his career. Apart from this change to Puig’s role, Pedrosa's team will remain same as in 2013.

Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice President, commented, "We are very happy to increase Alberto's role in HRC and make use of his extensive knowledge in this world. He is a valuable asset to Honda Racing and we must utilise him and benefit from his wealth of experience. He is a respected member of the MotoGP™ paddock and I believe this will be a good new challenge for him."

Puig himself added, "This is an exciting new challenge for me with HRC and I am very grateful for the opportunity. Initially I will focus on the new Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup but then as my role grows I will assist with young riders and I will do my best to help HRC as much as possible. Regarding Dani, I hope he can fulfil his dream, and looking back over these years I can only be proud of what is left behind with all the titles in the 125 and 250 class and all the MotoGP™ victories."

Pedrosa, meanwhile, stated, "After many years working together on track with Alberto, next season he will not be by my side in the garage. He will be taking care of new projects and I feel that he has already given me so much that now it is time to change our relationship slightly. Anyway, I know that Alberto will be there for me if I need something, and this is the most important thing."